We’re excited to welcome the 5th Cohort of the U.S. Youth Advisory Council for the UN Ocean Decade (U.S. YAC for UNOD) and share their ambitious SMART goals. This year’s cohort, made up of 59 members ages 15-25 across over 20 states and U.S. occupied territories, is already diving into impactful projects, with each working group focused on clear, measurable objectives:
The Policy Working Group is preparing for Hill Days, where members will advocate for ocean protection policies aiming to speak with over 70 lawmakers offices.
The Education Working Group is finalizing editing and publishing of a storybook to make ocean science topics accessible to younger audiences.
The Movement Working Group is organizing plastic brand audit national efforts to tackle marine pollution.
The Communications Team is amplifying these efforts to engage a wider network of advocates on ocean and climate issues. They seek to increase their following across communications platforms by 25%.
With strong collaboration and a shared commitment to making a difference, the 5th Cohort is off to an exciting start and already receiving valuable feedback and professional development opportunities from the U.S. National Committee to the UN Ocean Decade.
“Serving as Co-Chair of the 5th Cohort of the U.S. YAC UNOD has been an exciting endeavor so far that has shaped how I characterize leadership, communication, and action. I’ve come to realize all the work that needs to be done behind the scenes to ensure our goals become reality, so I hope to serve this cohort well through open communication, empathetic leadership, and also taking time to appreciate every member of this group. As I’m on the older end of the “youth” spectrum, I hope to leave a lasting impact through sharing my experiences from my past with others and encouraging them to take advantage of these opportunities. Working with an impassioned group of like-minded young people to address one of the world’s most pressing issues, I feel hopeful for our future fueled by the strength of youth voices and youth action. Though it is still early, we are already taking actions to hold corporations accountable through brand audits, publish an educational storybook to reach underserved youth, and meet with policymakers and federal agencies while visiting Capitol Hill. I am inspired by the work of my peers even beyond the cohort itself and believe we can use these partnerships and talents to further the mission of the YAC while supporting youth development along the way.” – Marria Peduto, 23, 5th Cohort Member U.S. YAC UNOD
“As we onboarded the 5th Cohort of the U.S. Youth Action Council for the UN Ocean Decade, I was honestly struck by the incredible diversity and enthusiasm of our new members. We welcomed youth from 25 states and territories, many of whom had never had the chance to engage at the level that YAC provides. It was inspiring to hear their voices during the onboarding, and I was excited to see the strong desire to work towards real environmental change within their communities. One of the highlights for me was the interaction between new members and alumni; the genuine interest in building connections and learning from past experiences was so encouraging. I’m particularly excited about the cross-sector diversity this cohort brings—from Indigenous communities to non-coastal areas, this group will strengthen our mission to ensure a healthy ocean for everyone, everywhere. The energy and commitment of the new cohort fuels my own passion for continuing this work.” – Armon Alex, 24, 4th Cohort Member & Project Coordinator U.S. YAC UNOD
